Karen Petrillo is the finance director at Rastrick High School. She’s the brains (and numbers) behind projects including the launch of the school’s Smarties Nursery, and explains that lots of her best ideas are inspired by shampoo…

What’s your business motto?

My business motto is the same as the one I use for my GPS cycling and running app – always striving to get better, however, it’s sometimes easier to feel like I’m making better progress in my business life than with my fitness!

How do you make contacts which are useful for business?

I try to make time to attend networking events. It’s not always easy, but there’s nothing better than getting together with people who have passion for what they do. I find that enthusiasm is infectious, and even if it’s difficult to fit them in, I come away from networking events with renewed energy for my day job.

What makes your business different?

The nature of the business is obviously secondary education, but I’ve never worked anywhere quite like Rastrick High School. While we’re operating within the state education sector, the aim is to take a fresh and vibrant approach to running the organisation. It’s no secret that schools are being challenged by government. We’re consistently being asked to do more with less – and at Rastrick we’ve decided to respond proactively. We’re exploiting our strengths in business services such as leadership, payroll and HR support to bring extra income to the school.

What do you always have with you?

I never go anywhere without my phone these days – and the charger to keep it topped up. If I’m honest, I’d rather not be so dependent on it, but having access to messages, email and my calculator all in one place is something I’d struggle to do without.

Do you dress-up or dress-down for business?

Dress-up, definitely. I like a good pair of stilettoes.

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Which person has inspired you most in your business life and in what way?

I’ve always been inspired by my late father-in-law. He was a skilled craftsman who worked hard throughout his first career as a tailor. He was also a real risk-taker and successfully started a new business at the age of 56. He carried on as a true role model until the day he died.

What’s your proudest achievement in business?

One of the things I’m most proud of is setting up Smarties Nursery at Rastrick High School. We saw a real opportunity to offer great, on-site childcare to our staff and fulfil a valuable role in the local community. The income generated by the nursery goes straight back into school and allows us to support areas that might be at risk otherwise. Some schools have reduced their arts provision, but we’re determined not to go down that route. At Rastrick, we’re immensely proud of our Talented Musician Development Programme and the high level of participation in music activities throughout the school. We know that students who access these activities benefit from increased self- confidence and self-worth.

Rastrick High School (Image: Huddersfield Examiner)

What’s your company’s greatest asset?

Our staff. The school’s motto is ‘chase perfection, catch excellence’. High quality teaching and learning is at the centre of everything we do, and without great teaching staff it just wouldn’t be possible to perform at this level.

Do you use social media and if so with how much success?

I do use social media, but not strategically. I’m pretty sure there’s more I could be doing, and probably ought to try harder.

If you hadn’t gone down your chosen career path, what would you be doing?

That’s a difficult one – I love mountains though. I’d probably have tried to find a reason to spend time there – perhaps being a ski Instructor or running a restaurant.

Give us one tip for a successful business

My advice would be to take time to hire the right people – and go with your gut feeling at the interview stage.

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My day usually starts in the shower. For some reason a lot of my best ideas are inspired by shampoo!

How do you relax away from work?

Outside work, I enjoy sports such as cycling, running and swimming, and I like to take on new challenges too – a highlight this summer was my first ever surfing lesson. I’m sure it won’t be my last.

When do you take your coffee break?

I tend to grab a coffee at my desk. There’s no coffee break as such.

Who would you most like to have a coffee with?

I might make an exception if Drew Povey, from Educating Manchester, was free for a coffee. I’d like to pick his brains about change and transition. He has an innovative, entrepreneurial leadership style, and it would be great to have ten minutes of his time.